A non-linear circuit model for dynamic evaluation of microwave brightness temperature of the Moon

Given the rising and renewed interest towards the study of Moon, the European Space Agency recently concluded the feasibility study of the European Student Moon Orbiter (ESMO). A multiband microwave radiometer, proposed by a team involving Italian universities, has been selected as a possible payload. This paper describes a joint thermal & electromagnetic model which is able to predict microwave brightness temperature of the Moon vs. time. The model, based on a nonlinear equivalent circuit, has been tested by comparison to literature data. As an application, microwave radiometry capability to help in detecting buried ice on the Moon has been considered.